DETONATE Synonyms: 21 Similar and Opposite Words

detonate

verb

ˈde-tᵊn-ˌāt

Definition of detonate

as in to explode

to break open or into pieces usually because of internal pressure the bomb detonated with a thunder that could be heard for blocks in all directions

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of detonate The 2,000-pound bombs have multiple variants, with some designed to penetrate deep, underground targets while others detonate above ground and cause widespread damage. — ABC News, 15 Sep. 2026 McGuire also admitted to detonating the bomb in retaliation for various alleged government wrongs, including sheriff’s deputies seizing his firearms earlier that year. — Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026 Minnesota’s WRs Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison should detonate next week. — Andy Behrens, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026 Bad Company, a spy spoof starring Chris Rock and Anthony Hopkins as agents trying to stop a suitcase bomb from detonating in Manhattan, moved from Christmas to June. — Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 11 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for detonate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for detonate

Verb

After buying one pack of 60 clips, my tomato plants exploded in both height and growth.

— Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Sep. 2026
Demand exploded during the Covid-19 pandemic, when lockdowns kept people at home and online orders boomed.

— Mustafa Qadri, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of explode

Verb

Giudice struck a few poses for the camera before blowing a kiss to wrap the clip.

— Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 21 Sep. 2026
More is surely going on, undetected or unreported, even as there has been a minor online symphony of whistle-blowing, alarm-bell tolling, and pleas for legislative action.

— Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of blow

Verb

The city’s corporation counsel has also been tight-lipped, with no comment on what settlements on the horizon could be behind the eye-popping increase.

— Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026
In the latter half of 1976, two very different live music scenes were popping at the exact same time across England and America.

— Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of pop

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dethroning

detonate

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“Detonate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detonate. Accessed 25 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of detonate

verb

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